Health staff at games on lookout for Ebola virus

Citing feasible plans and disease control precautions, the Jiangsu provincial epidemic prevention agency is urging the public not to worry about the Ebola virus during the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.

With 10 days to go before the Youth Olympics kick off, the number of international visitors has been surging, raising public concern that the crowds - particularly with people from Ebola-hit West Africa - could cause the virus to spread.

The latest World Health Organisation updates put the total cases at more than 1,600, including more than 880 deaths, in four countries: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Ebola causes serious illness with a death rate of up to 90 percent.

However, the Jiangsu provincial center of disease control and prevention is easing fears over the virus, citing intercity monitoring and well-prepared quarantine procedures during the youth event, which attracts 6,000 athletes and officials from around the world.

A statement issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission said that the chances of the virus coming to China remained slim.

The center has offered education about Ebola to local disease control staff and relevant doctors, and launched a unified monitoring and prevention mechanism with surrounding cities and customs to closely scrutinize any possible threat.

The virus is only spread through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, urine and saliva, said a senior specialist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile, the center in Nanjing has helped the Youth Olympic Village's medical team upgrade its prevention facilities by providing outfits and virus-detection kits.

According to the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee, the number of athletes from western African countries is limited.

Still, the medical team will maintain 24-hour contact with the delegations concerned in case of emergency.

Questions:

1. How many Ebola fatalities have there been so far?

2. Which four countries are currently affected?

3. In which city will the Youth Olympic Games be staged?

Answers:

1. More than 880.

2. Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

3. Nanjing.

The story is broadcast by Roger Ryan.

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）